Also the loyalty language. So it may be the case that Comey characterized the conversations without accurately quoting them. I haven't read the memos or the NYT accounts but if that line was clearly broached that would be trouble for Comey.

p.s. Comey is a piece of work and other than basic human charity I could care less what happens to him. If he really felt as morally righteous as he pretends he would have resigned on Jan. 9.

understands exactly what kind of pressure Trump was applying.
He's so corrupt.

Yep, I agree with you there.


kentuck
0. The phrase, "I hope you will let it go", must be taken in context...
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Standing alone, it sounds rather harmless.

Taken with the understanding that you may be fired from your job, it has a totally different meaning.

When Trump said that to FBI Director Comey, it was in the latter context. It was not as the Republican on the Committee today tried to portray.

Hearing the most powerful individual in the world (by virtue of the job, not due to his magnetism) express his wishes would be influential. It doesn't mean you should bow to his wishes -- and Comey wasn't about to do that -- but it made him hesitant, and it made him guarded and cautious. He took notes, which is a good thing.

Oh, fuck it...

The asshole is guilty...

I hope you can let this go...

After the conviction.

For obstruction of justice

And whatever else this ratucker is guilty of.

Once he's in prision,

I hope you can let this go...

My Wish is your Command.

It has to be put in context with the full conversation.

If it were, "I hope this will disappear as an issue", it would be a simple expression of hope. "I hope you will let this go" has a very important word in it: "you". When you tell someone "I hope you will do something", it's an implied threat. People don't talk that way except when they're making a threat.

But you make a good point that context is important. For example, "I hope you will go out on a date with me" can be very ominous if it is said by an employer to an employee, or by a boss to someone who works for him/her.

It was an order and a threat, no matter the context. shitgibbon didn't need to add "or else" because it was well understood.